Persistent, Niggling Questions

[Nate the Great]

In watching the SFDebris review of "The Measure of a Man" the following occurs to me:

PNQ: Is Geordi's VISOR really superior to human eyes?

After all, the VISOR can see a lot of things we can't, but this is balanced by its inability to properly process visible light. Geordi can only see blotches of color, like a really low resolution camera. He manages to function, but I'd hardly call it "superior."

Furthermore, on the occasions his eyes are healed and he sees stuff like Tasha or a sunset, he never fails to remark that he's getting something new from the experience. Something intangible that cannot be replicated by technology.

So why does Data remark that everyone should be fitted with VISORs?

[Zeke]

You're really asking why Data, at this early stage in the series, doesn't understand the value of "something intangible that cannot be replicated by technology"?

But I agree that Geordi's "sight" isn't particularly impressive when we get to see it. That's one aspect of the series that's unlikely to age well. My view (get it get it ha ha) is analogous to Gene's explanation for TOS Klingons: what Geordi really sees is much more complex, they just didn't have the budget to show it on TNG.

[Nate the Great]

But he DOES understand. This was a rhetorical question he asks of Picard to make him think. Data is actually showing personality growth.

He wasn't actually asking why people don't have their sight augmented by VISORs. Data was asking why Starfleet doesn't use any and all technology at their disposal to increase the utility of their officers. Including androids if necessary.

[Nate the Great]

This isn't really Persistent or Niggling, but I'd still like to ask...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x246f...eature=related

Does the theme for Digimon Data Squad sound more like the opening for a Pokemon season to anybody else?

[Nate the Great]

Over at TV Tropes the issue of "should you put one or two spaces between a period and the next sentence" has come up.

PNQ: Opinions?

I use two spaces 'cause that's what I was taught. Back in the days of typewriters that was the standard, and I don't see why it needed to be changed, especially since we're still using QWERTY keyboards for some inexplicable reason.

[NAHTMMM]

I don't care which, just as long as it's kept consistent within a given work.

/editor

[Nate the Great]

PNQ: How come Japanese names that have already been translated to English on signs or whatever that have "U"s on the end have these "U"s dropped when translated for the official dub?

I especially refer to Tatewaki Kuno of Ranma 1/2 and Yugi Moto of Yu-gi-oh. Both of their names are rendered with extra "U"s (Kunou, Motou) within the series, but these are dropped in the dubs.

It's just weird, is all. If a word in an anime is written in English to begin with, shouldn't that be taken as the official spelling?

[PointyHairedJedi]

Originally Posted by Nate the Great

Over at TV Tropes the issue of "should you put one or two spaces between a period and the next sentence" has come up.

I do at work, but otherwise I tend not to. Definitely not something I was taught in school.

[Nate the Great]

You do what at work? One space or two?

[Nate the Great]

Although I'm hardly the biggest fan of Daniel Craig's 007 (when I don't feel deprived by not having seen QoS, you can believe that), rumors that if Bond 23 doesn't start production soon it'll mean the end of the franchise disturb me.

PNQ1: What do you think should happen to the James Bond franchise?
PNQ2: If the studio is in such dire straits, isn't it a good idea to put out a James Bond movie AS SOON AS POSSIBLE, even if they have to borrow more money? After all...
PNQ3: Isn't a James Bond movie a guaranteed source of money?

[NAHTMMM]

I can't conceive of the Bond franchise ever actually ending. It might get set aside for an unusually long time, but end? I don't see how. As you say, it's a popular franchise.

[Nate the Great]

Oh, well. Maybe if there's a huge gap and they have to recast again; they'll realize that James Bond and Jason Bourne are NOT the same kind of character or movie franchise. James Bond is supposed to be about humor and the gadgets as much as action and sexy women. And did James Blonde ever feature that much in the way of either humor OR gadgets?

[NAHTMMM]

It does occur to me that it's probably getting harder to come up with new Bond gadgets that are impressive and useful without being too powerful or anything.

[Nate the Great]

I wouldn't mind gadget recycling. In fact if he had a set artillery that was standard from movie to movie, it would only make things more consistent.

[Nate the Great]

PNQ: Can anyone recommend a good harem anime for me?

Preferably a relatively obscure one. The only mainstream one I haven't really seen is Negima, but for some reason I can't get into that show. Or should I give it another chance?

[Tate]

The only one I've ever seen is Clannad, though considering that I've actually seen it, it probably is more mainstream than it is obscure. I really liked it.

[Tate]

Here's a PNQ: Why do so many TV shows not bother to give a name to their premiere episode? It seems like half of all new shows begin with an episode called 'Pilot'. I understand that that is the pilot episode, but couldn't they call it something a bit more creative?

[evay]

Helmsman?

[NAHTMMM]

"Pilot of the Awesomest TV Show Ever"?

[Sa'ar Chasm]

"Sure, It Sucks Now But It'll Be Better By Next Season, We Promise"